Moldova to open final EU negotiation clusters as Russian troop withdrawal enters Brussels agenda
Moldova is set to begin technical negotiations on the final three clusters of the EU acquis within weeks, Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Cristina Gherasimov announced following high-level meetings in Brussels on February 26-27.
The breakthrough marks the conclusion of the initial screening phase for all six thematic clusters of the accession process. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and the COELA working group indicated that specific benchmarks for the remaining chapters could be delivered as early as next week.
Diplomatic momentum in Nicosia
The progress report comes ahead of an informal meeting of EU European Affairs ministers in Nicosia, Cyprus, on March 2-3. Under the 2026 Cypriot Presidency, the summit will feature dedicated sessions for Moldova and Ukraine to reaffirm political support for their integration paths.
Gherasimov presented Moldova’s recent achievements in Cluster 2 (Internal Market) and Cluster 6 (External Relations). The reporting period (September 2024 – February 2025) was noted for maintaining reform momentum despite the transition to a new Parliament and Government following the recent elections.
Security and the Transnistrian factor
A significant development in the negotiation landscape is the inclusion of Russian troop withdrawal from Transnistria in the EU’s strategic demands. The point, part of a document shared by EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, links regional peace deals to the exit of Russian forces from occupied territories.
"The feasibility of this point will be decisive for the negotiation process," Gherasimov stated. She emphasized that a clear EU position on Russian withdrawal is vital for Moldova's long-term security and European alignment.
Strategic bilateralism
Addressing potential friction with Budapest, Gherasimov noted that Moldova currently enjoys bilateral support from the Hungarian government. Chișinău remains focused on internal judicial reforms and legislative harmonization, steering clear of speculative "accelerated" paths discussed in the context of the Ukraine-Russia peace negotiations.
Moldova previously received the mandate to begin technical negotiations for the first three clusters—covering fundamental values, the internal market, and foreign policy—at the end of 2025.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
